Contractor license cost by state: 13 states compared
In the 13 states below, the state fee for a new contractor license starts at $75 and goes up to $1,050 for Arizona's dual general license. (source: Arizona ROC: Licensing Fees (opens in a new tab)) The fee is often the small part. A required bond can be $25,000 or more, and some states add a recovery fund payment on top.
Every figure here comes from our verified state data, checked against each state board in October 2026. For Arizona, we checked the ROC's published fee and bond pages as archived in July 2026. Click a state for its full cost page with every fee and its official source.
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State fees and bonds at a glance
| State | State fees for a new license | Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $870 for a new residential general license, which includes the $370 Residential Recovery Fund assessment. A commercial general license is $780. (source: Arizona ROC: Licensing Fees (opens in a new tab)) | Residential general: $9,000 (under $750,000 a year) or $15,000 ($750,000 or more). Residential specialty: $4,250 or $7,500. Surety or cash bond accepted. (source: Arizona ROC: Bond Information (opens in a new tab)) |
| California | $450 application fee, then a $200 initial license fee for a sole owner ($350 for other businesses). (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab)) | $25,000 contractor bond before the license goes active. (source: CSLB: Bond requirements (opens in a new tab)) |
| Florida | $245 initial certification fee if you apply between 1 May of an even year and 31 August of an odd year. $145 at other times. (source: CILB 5-A application (opens in a new tab)) | See the Florida cost page. |
| Maryland | $281.25 application fee, $22.50 processing fee and a $100 Guaranty Fund payment. (source: MHIC fees (opens in a new tab)) | See the Maryland cost page. |
| Massachusetts | $150 HIC registration, plus a Guaranty Fund payment of $100 to $500 depending on how many employees you have. (source: Mass.gov: HIC Registration and Renewal (opens in a new tab)) | See the Massachusetts cost page. |
| Minnesota | $180 base license fee, plus a Contractor Recovery Fund fee of $320, $420 or $520 depending on gross receipts. (source: DLI: Residential contractor licensing (opens in a new tab)) | See the Minnesota cost page. |
| North Carolina | $75 (limited), $100 (intermediate) or $125 (unlimited), plus an exam fee of up to $100. (source: NC General Statutes Chapter 87, Article 1 (opens in a new tab)) | See the North Carolina cost page. |
| Oregon | $400 application fee for a 2-year license (new applications since 1 July 2025), plus $60 for the CCB exam, paid to the exam provider. (source: CCB License (opens in a new tab)) | $25,000 for a Residential General Contractor. (source: CCB Licensing (opens in a new tab)) |
| Pennsylvania | $100 Home Improvement Contractor registration, every 2 years. This is a registration, not a skills license. (source: PA Attorney General: Home Improvement Contractor Registration (opens in a new tab)) | See the Pennsylvania cost page. |
| Tennessee | $250 for an initial contractor license or home improvement license. (source: TN BLC: Fees (opens in a new tab)) | Home improvement licensees need a $10,000 bond: a surety bond, a cash or property bond, or a letter of credit. (source: TN BLC: Home Improvement license (opens in a new tab)) |
| Texas | No state general contractor license. An HVAC (ACR) contractor application is $115. (source: Texas Business Licenses and Permits Guide (opens in a new tab)) (source: TDLR: Apply for an ACR contractor license (opens in a new tab)) | See the Texas cost page. |
| Virginia | $235 (Class C), $380 (Class B) or $400 (Class A), each plus a $25 Recovery Fund assessment. (source: 18VAC50-22 Part II (opens in a new tab)) | See the Virginia cost page. |
| Washington | $150.20 contractor registration fee. (source: L&I form F625-001-000 (opens in a new tab)) | $30,000 for general contractors, $15,000 for specialty contractors. (source: L&I: Register as a contractor (opens in a new tab)) |
Exam fees and local licenses can add to these totals. Each state cost page lists what we have verified.
What you actually pay up front
Most states charge more than one fee before you can work. In California you pay the $450 application fee and then the initial license fee, so a sole owner pays $650 to the state before the bond. (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab)) In Maryland the application, processing and Guaranty Fund add up to $403.75. (source: MHIC fees (opens in a new tab))
Recovery or guaranty funds are the part people miss. Minnesota's base fee is $180, but the Contractor Recovery Fund fee is at least $320, so the smallest total is $500. (source: DLI: Residential contractor licensing (opens in a new tab)) Arizona's $870 residential general fee already includes its $370 recovery fund assessment. (source: Arizona ROC: Licensing Fees (opens in a new tab))
The bond figures above are the amount of bond the state requires, not a fee paid to the state. California, for example, accepts a $25,000 contractor bond or a $25,000 cashier's check. (source: CSLB: Bond requirements (opens in a new tab))
Renewal costs
Budget for renewal too. Some examples from our data:
- California: active renewal every 2 years is $450 for a sole owner or $700 for other businesses. (source: CSLB Fees (opens in a new tab))
- Arizona: a residential general license renews for $590 every 2 years. (source: Arizona ROC: Licensing Fees (opens in a new tab))
- Virginia: renewal is $270 (Class A), $260 (Class B) or $220 (Class C), plus a $30 Recovery Fund assessment each time. (source: 18VAC50-22-140 Renewal fees (opens in a new tab))
- Maryland: renewal is $281.25 every 2 years plus a $175 Guaranty Fund payment. (source: MHIC fees (opens in a new tab))
- Massachusetts: HIC renewal is $100 every 2 years. If it lapses you reapply and pay the full registration and Guaranty Fund fees again. (source: Mass.gov: HIC Registration and Renewal (opens in a new tab))
- Tennessee: renewal is $200. (source: TN BLC: Fees (opens in a new tab))
States with no state general contractor license
Texas has no state general contractor license, so there is no state GC fee. Trades like HVAC and plumbing still need a state license. Some cities run their own registration. (source: City of Austin contractor registration (opens in a new tab)) (source: Texas Business Licenses and Permits Guide (opens in a new tab)) Pennsylvania uses a $100 registration with the Attorney General instead of a license. (source: PA Attorney General: Home Improvement Contractor Registration (opens in a new tab)) Always check your city or county as well.
Common questions
What is the cheapest state to get a contractor license?
Of the 13 states here, Pennsylvania's $100 registration and North Carolina's $75 limited license application are the lowest state fees. Neither figure includes exam fees or insurance.
Does the license fee include the bond?
No. The bond is separate from the license fee. Most contractors buy a surety bond, though some states, such as California and Arizona, also accept a cash deposit instead.
How often do I pay again?
Most of these states renew every 2 years. North Carolina and the Texas ACR license renew every year.
Sources
Every figure links to the official page it came from. Our state data was last verified on 24 to 26 October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the board before you apply.